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Pelargonium reniforme

Assessor: Sarah Schumann

Sensitive in 2010
Yes
Family
Geraniaceae
Reason for the sensitivity status
This species is known to be wild collected for medicinal purposes. Several others of the genus are known to be targeted, exploited and illegally removed from the wild, causing population decline. Evidence shows that the pelargonium genus is in demand in international horticultural trade. Ongoing threat and decline makes this species vulnerable to population loss. Releasing data on this species could exacerbate threat and vulnerability.
This species is extremely rare in the wild and is known to be exploited, utilised or traded. The localities of remaining populations need to be protected to avoid any further exploitation, which is likely to drive it to extinction.
Exploitation extent
Significant - wild individuals of the species are known to be exploited, collected, traded or utilized in a targeted manner, and utilisation is widespread, affects the majority of wild populations and/or is causing rapid decline of the wild population.
Justification and references

According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Near Threatened as it is experiencing ongoing population decline due to widespread harvesting of wild individuals for medicinal use (Raimondo et al. 2012). This species is thought to likely be the most exploited pelargonium due to its medicinal value (van der Walt, R personal communication, 12 August 2022). This genus is in demand and of popular interest in international horticultural trade, as indicated by several online marketplace, e-commerce and auction sites. Plants of this genus were among those targeted and confiscated during recent criminal prosecutions of illegal plant collecting. There have been several recorded confiscations of this species and others of the Pelargonium genus from illegal collection (Confiscation List (2018-2022) provided by Cape Nature, SANParks Sendelingsdrift Botanic Garden, SANBI Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and Karoo Desert Botanic Garden). 

Raimondo, D., Victor, J.E., Dold, A.P. & de Castro, A. 2012. Pelargonium reniforme Curtis. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

 

Population vulnerability
Population is vulnerable: size is <= 2500 mature individuals OR the number of known subpopulations is <= 5 OR range is <= 100km2 OR species at risk of localised extinctions
Justification and references

Specific population data on this species is not available but it is known to have lost more than 20% of its population since 2002 and a further 10% decline is suspected in the next 20 years (Raimondo et al. 2012) (van der Walt, R personal communication, 12 August 2022).

Raimondo, D., Victor, J.E., Dold, A.P. & de Castro, A. 2012. Pelargonium reniforme Curtis. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Targeted demographics
Mature (breeding) individuals are killed, significantly weakened or are permanently removed from the wild, OR immature individuals are targeted and this significantly impacts mature (breeding) individuals.
Justification and references

Whole individuals are harvested causing population decline (Raimondo et al. 2012).

Raimondo, D., Victor, J.E., Dold, A.P. & de Castro, A. 2012. Pelargonium reniforme Curtis. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Regeneration potential
This species has a slow population growth rate, or the growth rate varies depending on habitat, and there is a poor chance the wild populations will recover from exploitation OR a collector might feasibly harvest the entire extant population removing the chance of subsequent recruitment.
Justification and references

Ongoing population decline and exploitation (Raimondo et al. 2012), places the persistence of this species at risk whereby recruitment and recovery may be poor. In most cases if tuber sections are left behind when removed, individuals can regrow (van der Walt, R personal communication, 12 August 2022).

Raimondo, D., Victor, J.E., Dold, A.P. & de Castro, A. 2012. Pelargonium reniforme Curtis. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.

Reference file
Pelargonium Aucfan.pdf854.01 KB
Pelargonium _ eBay.pdf561.91 KB
Pelargonium reniforme Threatened Species Programme _ SANBI Red List of South African Plants.pdf597.27 KB
Pelargonium African Succulents.pdf408.87 KB